Friday music blogging: Mark Ronson & the Business Intl

Mark Ronson is the hipster’s hipster. He was born of wealthy London socialites, came to renown DJing at downtown New York City hot spots, became a successful producer (he’s responsible for Amy Winehouse’s debut), released a few acclaimed solo albums, dated a few models, and is now fronting Mark Ronson & the Business Intl, whose debut album Record Collection came out recently. It would be easy to hate a guy with such a charmed life, but he sure knows how to make catchy music.

As a producer and songwriter, Ronson has mostly been known for the his ability to capture the ’60s doo-wop funky retro sound that catapulted Winehouse to fame. (Most of that work was done with the excellent Dap-Kings as his house band.) Record Collection is different. It’s far more ’80s than ’60s, with perky and slightly nerdy synth lines tying together a set of unabashedly hooky pop tunes. The rotating cast of vocalists includes Duran Duran’s Simon LeBon, if that gives you some idea. It’s good times.

This track is dedicated to Grist’s kick-ass new cities writer/editor Sarah Goodyear, kick-ass new bicycle columnist Elly Blue, and all you kick-ass Grist readers who ride your bikes. It’s called “The Bicycle Song.”